Initiatives on Ocean Policy

With the aim of promoting "Co-existence between Man and the Ocean," we began our think-tank operations in 2000 by conducting research, making policy recommendations and disseminating information on the ocean, and also contributed to the enactment of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy in 2007. Since then, OPRI has actively participated in many international conferences and dialogues on ocean governance, and has continued to carry out activities for the implementation of the 12 fundamental measures outlined in the Basic Act on Ocean Policy.

OPRI continues to build on the activities of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, making full use of its expertise and networks to conduct research, communication, and information sharing activities on the ocean both domestically and abroad.

Under international initiatives aimed at a new international order on the ocean such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the movement toward sustainable development and use of the ocean, OPRI is striving to promote the following ocean policies and the implementation and formulation of specific measures to drive them.

Research and Proposals on Ocean Policies and Measures

OPRI researches actions that need to be taken in each area of the fundamental measures outlined in the Basic Act on Ocean Policy to integrally and systematically cope with ocean issues that Japan faces, and makes recommendations based on these findings. The main proposals OPRI has made to the government are outlined below. ...

Promotion of the Basic Act on Ocean Policy

OPRI has worked to establish a culture of integrated management and sustainable development of the oceans by Japan, an ocean state. ...

International Activities Regarding the Ocean

Ocean issues are international in nature, requiring global collaboration and cooperation under an international framework for their solutions. In keeping with this idea, OPRI has actively participated in international discussions on ocean issues and has communicated our country's initiatives along with exchanging ideas on advanced initiatives undertaken by other countries and international organizations. ...

Promoting Ocean Policy Studies

A wide range of problems exists regarding the oceans, such as those involving the environment, climate, resources, fisheries, energy, maritime affairs, and security, and these problems are closely interrelated. In order to address them, our policies must aim for integrated management and sustainable development of the oceans in accordance with United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international frameworks for sustainable development. ...

Dissemination of information relating to the oceans

Problems involving ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be considered as a whole. In order to pursue an integrated ocean policy, it is essential to provide information on ocean related issues to the widest possible audience in an accessible manner. Begun by OPRF before its reorganization into OPRI, this outreach provides cross-sectoral, comprehensive information from the viewpoint of both natural and social sciences to increase interest in ocean related issues and help the foundation in facilitating the formulation of ocean policy. ...